Abuja, Nigeria – The High Commissioner of Rwanda to Nigeria, Christophe Bazivamo, has reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation with Nigeria across key sectors including trade, aviation, and information and communication technology (ICT). This was announced during the 31st anniversary celebration of Rwanda’s Liberation Day, Kwibohora, held in Abuja on Friday.
Kwibohora31: Marking a Journey of Liberation and Progress
The event, themed “The Journey Continues”, commemorates the end of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi people of Rwanda. High Commissioner Bazivamo used the occasion to spotlight Rwanda’s journey of national transformation and its strategic partnerships aimed at promoting shared prosperity across Africa.
“Rwanda is fully committed to collaborating closely with Nigeria to cultivate a thriving economic environment that benefits both our nations. Trade serves as the heartbeat of any economy,” Bazivamo stated. “By deepening trade connections, we can generate opportunities and enhance the well-being of our citizens.”
Enhancing Economic Ties Through Trade, Aviation, and ICT
Bazivamo emphasized Rwanda’s active engagement with Nigeria in sectors critical to regional growth and innovation. These include:
- Trade: Rwanda and Nigeria are working towards a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, a move expected to enhance investor confidence and cross-border commercial activities.
- Aviation: The High Commissioner stressed the role of aviation in facilitating seamless connectivity between both nations, promoting tourism and business development.
- ICT: Rwanda sees digital innovation as a key driver of economic transformation. Strengthened ICT partnerships with Nigeria could fuel innovation and capacity building across both economies.
Commitment to Regional Peace and Shared Vision
Bazivamo reaffirmed Rwanda’s dedication to regional stability, referencing a recent peace accord with the Democratic Republic of Congo as a step toward long-term security and cooperation in the Great Lakes region.
He noted that Rwanda’s remarkable gains in areas such as technology, gender equality, and economic growth are the result of deliberate policy decisions and a strong national vision.
Rwanda’s Vision 2050: A Blueprint for Inclusive Growth
Central to Rwanda’s long-term development strategy is Vision 2050, a roadmap aimed at transforming the country into an upper-middle-income economy by 2045 and a high-income, knowledge-driven economy by 2050.
“This vision is not merely aspirational,” Bazivamo said. “It is anchored in a clear, people-focused development framework that prioritizes sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation.”
What You Should Know: Strengthening Nigeria-Rwanda Relations
- On June 27, 2025, Nigeria and Rwanda signed the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion, aimed at easing tax burdens and boosting private sector investment.
- Nigeria has become the fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Rwanda as of 2024, marking a significant milestone in economic cooperation.
- The growing partnership supports the broader goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), designed to unlock intra-African trade and industrialization.
The reaffirmation of Rwanda’s partnership with Nigeria underscores a shared vision for economic resilience, technological advancement, and sustainable development. With strategic agreements in place and increasing investment flows, both countries are poised to lead regional integration efforts and shape Africa’s future prosperity.
